One-hand operable data disc case - A data disc case includes a base panel and an one-hand operable arrangement which includes an affixing panel affixing on the base panel and a foldable panel extended from the affixing panel to foldably overlap on the base panel, wherein the affixing panel and foldable panel are extended edge to edge to form a cover panel on the base panel and to define a compartment between the cover panel and the base panel for accommodating a data disc therewithin. The foldable panel at the cover panel is movably overlapping with the base panel to foldably flip the foldable panel of the cover panel between an open position in a one-hand operable manner for exposing the data disc within the compartment to be accessed and an enclosed position for enclosing the data disc within the data disc case.

2012-01-05

20120000803

TOOL BOX WITH ANTI-SLIP SURFACE - A tool box includes a plastic case formed by way of blow molding and a flexible piece is integrally formed on an outside of the plastic case during processes of the blow molding. The flexible piece is connected to an inside of a female mold and the melted plastic material is inflated and matches the insides of the male and female molds. The flexible piece is securely connected to the melted plastic material high temperature and pressure so that flexible piece and the melted plastic material are not separated. After the tool box is formed, the tool box includes an anti-slip and flexible piece on the outside thereof.

2012-01-05

20120000804

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HOLDING SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COUNT SHEETS - The disclosure includes systems and methods for hospital based sterilization of surgical instruments. An exemplary system includes a wrapped sterilization tray or container defining at least one opening to permit a sterilant to pass therethrough and least one surgical instrument disposed in the sterilization tray. The system still further includes a count sheet holder disposed on the sterilization wrap or container. The count sheet holder defines a compartment for receiving a count sheet and means for attaching the count sheet holder to the sterilization container or wrapped tray.

2012-01-05

20120000805

TOOL HOLDER ASSEMBLY - A tool holder assembly including a housing with a chamber, a rotating holder with a plurality of slots, torsion spring, and an adapter, thereby forming an easy-to-use and portable tool holder. The slots at the top and the bottom of the rotating holder are provided for receiving screwdriver bits in different shapes and sizes. An insertion hole of the adapter is provided for the insertion of a hand tool in order to tighten a screw. Besides, the rotating holder may be swiveled by means of the torsion spring in an inclined position relative to the housing, thereby facilitating the removal and the storage of the screwdriver bits.

2012-01-05

20120000806

METHODS FOR REDUCING THE RISK OF AN ADVERSE DRONEDARONE / BETA-BLOCKERS INTERACTION IN A PATIENT SUFFERING FROM ATRIAL FIBRILATION - The disclosure relates to a method for managing the risk of dronedarone/beta-blockers interaction by using dronedarone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL), with a recent episode of AF/AFL and associated cardiovascular risk factors, who are in sinus rhythm or who will be cardioverted to reduce the risk of cardiovascular hospitalization, said patients also expecting to receive a beta-blockers treatment, by performing the following steps:

Fragrance sampler insert - A fragrance sampler is provided which is made from two plies, a bottom ply and a top ply, of material. A cosmetic, such as a wet fragrance, sample is deposited on the bottom ply. A well is formed in at least one of the plies and is sized and shaped to surround the sample. The two plies are then adhered together to form a liquid tight seal between the two plies and around the well.

2012-01-05

20120000809

APPARATUS FOR TREATING A STAIN IN CLOTHING - A package for treating a stained fabric. The package has a contact substrate having a first color and a backing layer having a second color. More than about 25% of each of the widthwise edges of the contact substrate abuts a portion of the backing layer having the second color when the package is in a generally flat position.

2012-01-05

20120000810

MULTIPLE FUNCTION, SELF-REPAIRING COMPOSITES WITH SPECIAL ADHESIVES - A system for self-repairing matrices such as concrete or cementitous matrices, polymeric matrices, and/or fibrous matrices, including laminates thereof. The system includes repair agents retained in and/or on vessels, such as hollow fibers, within the matrix. Upon impact, the vessel rupture, releasing the chemicals. For multi-layer laminates, the systems provides a total dynamic energetic circulation system that functions as an in situ fluidic system in at least one layer or area. The energy from the impact ruptures the vessels to release the chemical(s), and mixes the chemical(s) and pushes the chemical(s) and/or resulting compound through the matrix. The repair agents can withstand high temperatures, such as the heat of processing of many laminates, e.g., 250-350° F.

Accessory holder - An accessory holder device for selectively mounting and retrieving accessories including a cylindrical body having an outer surface coupled to a peripheral protrusion. The peripheral protrusion is located toward the bottom of the outer surface to help prevent accessories mounted on the outer surface from sliding downward to a ground surface. The outer surface can additionally include gripping portions attached thereto in a predetermined pattern to further help prevent the accessories from sliding downward. The accessory holder device further includes an inner storage compartment formed therein for additional storage and a lid to selectively enclose the opening of the inner storage compartment.

2012-01-05

20120000813

System and Method for Casualty Treatment and Evacuation in Response to an Emergency Situation - A system and method for assisting casualties, categorizing survivors, and communicating pertinent casualty and survivor information to external emergency response teams during a crisis situation. A kit may be provided that comprises a variety of emergency medical supplies, instructional casualty treatment information, and a plurality of casualty placards. Able-bodied survivors with no medical training may use the kit and its contents to properly prioritize and provide basic emergency medical assistance to help reduce casualty mortality during a crisis situation. Instructions and method steps contained within each kit teach each user to first fortify a safe haven, attended to casualty bleeding issues, attend to casualty airway issues, place casualties in a recovery position while continually reassuring and reassessing the casualties, and finally notifying or otherwise communicating casualty number and status to emergency responders. Responders may utilize the casualty information to most appropriately formulate and implement their response strategy.

2012-01-05

20120000814

CONTAINER FOR A FABRIC STAIN TREATMENT DEVICE - A container having a layer having an interior surface and an exterior surface opposing the interior surface; and a window in the layer, the window revealing at least a portion of a fabric stain treatment device operatively related with the container, the fabric stain treatment device having a fluid pervious contact substrate, wherein at least a portion of the contact substrate is visible through the window; wherein the fabric stain treatment device comprises a backing layer having a first side opposing a second side and a pouch layer joined with the second side of the backing layer thereby forming a pouch containing a stain treatment fluid having a surfactant; wherein the fluid pervious contact substrate is joined to the first side of the backing layer.

2012-01-05

20120000815

ENHANCED EDGE PROTECTOR - An edge protector includes a first section formed from a laminate of paper or paperboard plies. The first section being formed in an angled configuration defining first and second legs and defining a first apex therebetween. In addition, the first apex defines first inside and second outside corners and the first and second legs and the first apex define a first width. The edge protector also includes a second section formed from a laminate of paper or paperboard plies overlying a core element. The core element and laminate are formed in an angled configuration similar to the first section. The second section defines third and fourth legs and defines a second apex therebetween. In addition, the second apex defines third inside and fourth outside corners, and the third and fourth legs and the second apex define a second width that is less than the first width. The plies overlying the core element wrap around the fourth outside corner and extend inwardly toward the third inside corner. The first and second sections are affixed to one another with the first and third legs abutting one another and the second and fourth legs abutting one another.

2012-01-05

20120000816

Port Door Positioning Apparatus and Associated Methods - A loadport has a port door and a frame with an opening through which the port door interfaces with a container door of a container for holding semiconductor workpieces. In one embodiment, a movable closure mechanism is connected to the port door and is defined to be movable in a controlled manner relative to both the port door and the frame. In this embodiment, a stationary closure mechanism is disposed on the frame proximate to the opening. In another embodiment, a stationary closure mechanism is connected to the port door, and a movable closure mechanism is disposed on the frame proximate to the opening. In both embodiments, the movable closure mechanism is defined to engage with the stationary closure mechanism such that movement of the movable closure mechanism to engage with the stationary closure mechanism applies a closing force between the port door and the container door.

2012-01-05

20120000817

Production of Low Color Middle Distillate Fuels - In a process for producing a low color diesel and/or kerosene fuel, a middle distillate feed can be supplied to a reactor having at least one first catalyst bed containing a first desulfurization and/or isomerization catalyst and at least one second catalyst bed containing a decolorization catalyst downstream from the first catalyst bed(s). The feed can be reacted with the hydrogen in the presence of the first catalyst at a temperature from about 290° C. to about 430° C. to produce a first liquid effluent, which can be cooled by about 10° C. to about 40° C. with a quench medium and cascaded to the at least one second catalyst bed. The cooled first liquid effluent can then be reacted with hydrogen in the presence of the decolorization catalyst at a temperature from about 280° C. to about 415° C. to produce a second effluent having an ASTM color less than 2.5.

METHOD OF PRODUCING ALKYLBENZENE AND CATALYST USED THEREFOR - A method that efficiently produces an alkylbenzene with a high added value from a 1.5-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon while suppressing excessive hydrocracking and nuclear hydrogenation, and preventing a decrease in catalytic activity due to deposition of carbon during a hydrocracking reaction, and a catalyst used therefor, are disclosed. A method of producing an alkylbenzene includes causing a hydrocarbon oil feedstock containing an alkylbenzene content of less than 20 vol %, a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of less than 30 vol %, and a 1.5-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of 25 vol % or more to come in contact with a hydrocracking catalyst that includes a solid acid having a maximum acid strength of Brönsted acid of 110 kJ/mol or more and less than 140 kJ/mol.

2012-01-05

20120000820

HYDROPROCESSING PROCESS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CATALYST LIFE - This invention relates to a hydroprocessing process for the improvement of catalyst life. Such inventive process is carried out with intermittent or discontinuous addition of a co-feed stream when hydroprocessing petroleum based feedstock or an oxygen containing feedstock. More specifically, it has been found that intermittent or discontinuous addition of the co-feed stream such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or their precursors to the hydrogen stream can reduce the long term deactivation, extend the life and increase run length of a cobalt/molybdenum hydrotreating catalyst.

2012-01-05

20120000821

HYDROPROCESSING CATALYSTS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEREOF - A method to reduce metal deposit in the hydroprocessing or upgrade of heavy oil feedstock is provided. The method comprises feeding an improved catalyst feed to the system, with the improved catalyst feed comprising a fresh slurry catalyst and a deoiled spent catalyst, with the deoiled spent catalyst being present in an amount of at least 10% the catalyst feed for the heavy oil upgrade system to have at least a 5% reduction in metal contaminant build-up compared to heavy oil upgrade system without the deoiled spent catalyst in the feed.

Process for Producing Low-Sulfur Gas Oil Fraction, and Low-Sulfur Gas Oil - A process for producing a gas oil fraction by hydrodesulfurizing a feedstock oil prepared by blending a straight-run gas oil and a light cycle oil, wherein the process is capable of maintaining the activity of the desulfurization catalyst over a long period, and is capable of producing a low-sulfur gas oil fraction having a low sulfur content and excellent color index. The process for producing a low-sulfur gas oil fraction includes hydrodesulfurizing a feedstock oil to a sulfur content of not more than 10 ppm by mass, wherein the feedstock oil is prepared by blending a straight-run gas oil with a light cycle oil having a 10 volume % distillation temperature of less than 220° C. and a 90 volume % distillation temperature of less than 325° C., such that the blend proportion of the light cycle oil is not more than 30% by volume. Further, a low-sulfur gas oil is obtained by blending the low-sulfur gas oil fraction with a kerosene fraction.

2012-01-05

20120000824

INTEGRATED GAS AND LIQUID PHASE PROCESSING OF BIOCOMPONENT FEEDSTOCKS - A mineral feed can be hydrotreated in a trickle-bed reactor or other stage in a continuous gas-phase environment. The effluent from the hydrotreatment stage can be separated to remove gas-phase impurities. The remaining liquid effluent from the hydrotreating stage can then be introduced, in total or in part, into a second stage/reactor. A feed of biocomponent origin can also be introduced into the second stage/reactor. The second stage/reactor can be operated to perform deoxygenation of the mixture of biocomponent feed and hydrotreated liquid effluent in a continuous liquid phase environment.

2012-01-05

20120000825

ADSORBENT FOR FEED AND PRODUCTS PURIFICATION IN A REFORMING PROCESS - The service life and deactivation rate of a reforming catalyst is improved through use of a new sulfur guard bed containing a chloride additive. This sulfur guard bed, which contains supported CuO material having an increased resistance to reduction, shows such improvement. Thus, the danger of run-away reduction followed by a massive release of water causing process upsets in a catalytic reforming process is practically eliminated. The fact that the guard bed material preserves the active metal phase—copper in an active (oxide) form is an important advantage leading to very low sulfur content in the product stream. The sulfur capacity per unit weight of sorbent is also significantly increased, making this sorbent a superior cost effective sulfur guard product.

2012-01-05

20120000826

PROCESS FOR REDUCING CORROSION - One exemplary embodiment can be a process for reducing corrosion during removal of one or more sulfur-containing hydrocarbons from a gas. Generally, the process includes producing an effluent including a caustic, one or more hydrocarbons, one or more sulfur compounds, and a gas from an oxidation vessel; sending the effluent to a stack of a disulfide separator; passing the gas, including oxygen and one or more sulfur compounds, through the stack; and passing a stream including one or more hydrocarbons to the stack at a temperature of less than about 38° C. for absorbing the one or more sulfur compounds. Typically, the stack includes one or more walls surrounding a void and adapted to receive a fluid including one or more phases, a packed bed positioned within the void, and a distributor including one or more risers and one or more compartments coupled to a substantially horizontal member forming a plurality of apertures there-through.

2012-01-05

20120000827

PROCESS FOR REMOVING ONE OR MORE SULFUR COMPOUNDS FROM A STREAM - One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more disulfide compounds from a caustic stream. The process can include passing the caustic stream, previously contacted with a hydrocarbon stream for removing one or more mercaptans, through a column to remove the one or more disulfide compounds downstream of a mercaptan oxidation zone.

2012-01-05

20120000828

HYDRODEMETALLIZATION CATALYST AND PROCESS - This invention is directed to hydrodemetallization catalysts and hydrodemetallization processes employing a magnesium aluminosilicate clay. The magnesium aluminosilicate clay has a characteristic

PROCESS FOR UPGRADING HEAVY OIL AND BITUMEN PRODUCTS - A process for upgrading bitumen recovered from an oil reservoir without hydrogen production is particularly useful in field upgrading applications. In this process, recovered bitumen enters a fractionator and is contacted with heated gases from a fluidized bed reactor. The bitumen and heated gases are fractionated into segregated products including at least a liquid pitch, unstable fractions, and an upgraded liquid product. The liquid pitch is introduced into the reactor to produce a vapor phase liquid product; the reactor comprises solid particles moving through the reactor and a fluidizing gas fluidizing the solid particles at a conversion temperature which is suitable for facilitating the conversion of at least some of the liquid pitch into the vapor phase liquid product. The heated gases comprising the vapor phase liquid product and fluidizing gas are directed from the reactor to the fractionator to contact the bitumen stream. In this process, enough of the segregated unstable fractions are burned that the liquid product and any remaining unstable fractions meets pipeline specifications without hydrogen treatment of any of the remaining unstable fractions.

2012-01-05

20120000831

METHODS FOR SEPARATING A FEED MATERIAL DERIVED FROM A PROCESS FOR RECOVERING BITUMEN FROM OIL SANDS - Separation methods for producing an extract and a raffinate from a solvent extraction feed material, wherein the feed material is derived from a process for recovering bitumen from oil sands. The methods may include producing an intra-stage recycle component from an overflow zone of a solvent extraction stage and recycling the intra-stage recycle component to the solvent extraction stage, and/or the methods may include providing an underflow component withdrawal rate for a solvent extraction stage other than a final solvent extraction stage which is greater than an underflow component withdrawal rate for the final solvent extraction stage.

2012-01-05

20120000832

Platinum Group Metal Recovery From Powdery Waste - The invention relates to a method for increasing the concentration of platinum group metals in urban waste material. The method comprises obtaining particles of urban waste material; screening the particles of urban waste material by size, selecting particles of urban waste material that lie within a defined size range; and processing the selected particles using at least one physical or chemical technique whereby to increase the concentration of platinum group metals to at least 5 ppm. The invention also relates to an apparatus for increasing the concentration of platinum group metals in particulate urban waste material. The apparatus comprises: a drying unit (

Collapsible sluice box - A folding sluice box assembly includes a plurality of generally U-sectioned trough segments having their end portions nested in size progression and hinged to each other to form an overlap of the received portion and the receiving portion. A deformation in the bottom surface of a received portion is aligned on full pivotal extension for mating receipt in a conforming bottom surface opening in the receiving portion, thus interlocking of the assembly into its working configuration. When thus extended the edge of a resilient mat positioned on the bottom surface of the receiving segment abuts the edge of the received segment to effect a substantial seal therewith.

2012-01-05

20120000835

DUPLEX STRAINER APPARATUSES AND METHODS - A fluid strainer is disclosed for use in a fluid piping system, the fluid strainer having a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. The first valve chamber can have a strainer inlet and contain first and second angled members, and the second valve chamber can have a strainer outlet and contain third and fourth angled members. A first pivotable seal can be movable within the first valve chamber into sealing engagement against either of the first or second angled members, and a second pivotable seal can be movable within the second valve chamber into sealing engagement against either of the third or fourth angled members. A first strainer chamber can be in communication with the first angled member and the third angled member, and a second strainer chamber can be in communication with the second angled member and the fourth angled member.

2012-01-05

20120000836

LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPH DEVICE - A liquid chromatograph device was provided wherein operations inside a thermostatic chamber can be safely performed even while a heat block is being heated. The liquid chromatograph device comprises: a thermostatic chamber; outer doors and that are disposed at the front surface of the thermostatic chamber; a heat block; heater for heating said heat block; temperature sensor for the heat block; flowing means for flowing air between the inside and outside of the thermostatic chamber; a control means for controlling the supply of power to the heater based on the result of the temperature sensor; and an inner door between the outer door and the heat block, the inner door comprising a hollow inner door main body, a heat-insulating material that is housed within the inner door so as to form an air chamber between the heat-insulating material and the surface of the outer door of the inner door main body and inlet/outlet slits and that are formed in the inner door main body. These slits and the flowing means causes air within the inner door to flow out, thus reducing the temperature of the inner door.

Sequential Extracorporeal Treatment of Bodily Fluids - An article and method to treat extracorporeally a patient's bodily fluid. The bodily fluid can include blood, cerebral spinal fluid and lymph. A first stage of the method includes applying a treatment. The treatment can comprise dosing with a medication, thermal treatment, or irradiation. The treatment can occur at levels that could otherwise compromise the patient's health. A second stage of the method substantially removes the treatment from the bodily fluid. The bodily fluid can then be returned to the patient. The article includes a treatment chamber that applies the treatment and a removal module for removing the treatment. The method can be a continuous process such as, for example, a dialysis process.

2012-01-05

20120000839

Grease Water Separation Apparatus for Indoor Grill - A grease water separation apparatus includes an air chamber in communication with an indoor grill; a water scattering member comprising a space in communication with the air chamber, at least one sprinkling duct, and a pump in communication with the sprinkling duct; a heat exchanger connected to the water scattering member and comprising a grease filter and grease holes; a liquid collector connected to the heat exchanger and comprising a water reservoir in communication with the pump, a grease reservoir for collecting grease from the grease holes, and a grease water mixing reservoir; a water-grease separator connected to the heat exchanger and being in communication therewith, the water-grease separator comprising a hollow cylinder having an air outlet and an inlet within the water-grease separator, and a water-grease outlet for flowing water and grease to the grease water mixing reservoir; a centrifugal fan; and an air filter.

2012-01-05

20120000840

Reservoir Tank Water Mixing System - A mixing unit may be disposed under water of a circular reservoir tank. The mixing unit squirts out water at an upward, outward and skewed angle so as to facilitate rotation of the water within the tank and vertical mixing of the water so as to destratify the temperature gradients within the water.

Rotary Disc Filter and Module for Constructing Same - A rotary disc filter device includes a rotary drum and one or more disc-shaped filter members secured about the drum. Each disc-shaped filter member includes a filter and a filter support comprising a series of modules. The modules each include a base that is secured to the rotary drum and a support arm projecting outwardly from the base. The modules are interconnected and disposed around the rotary drum.

2012-01-05

20120000843

INVOLUTE CARTRIDGE FILTER SYSTEM - A fluid filter system including a filter housing having an inlet chamber that surrounds the inner chamber that houses the filter cartridges. The filter cartridges are positioned in an involute configuration to channel rotationally inward flow of the fluid as it loses kinetic energy and velocity. The configuration provides superior filtering of fluids flowing therethrough and provides superior filter life.

NANOPOROUS FILMS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Provided is a carbon nanostructure-metal composite nanoporous film in which a carbon nanostructure-metal composite is coated on one surface or both surfaces of a membrane support having micro- or nano-sized pores. A method for manufacturing a carbon nanostructure-metal composite nanoporous film, includes: dispersing a carbon nanostructure-metal composite in a solvent at the presence of a surfactant and coating the carbon nanostructure-metal composite on one surface or both surfaces of a membrane support; and fusing the metal on the membrane support by heating the coated membrane support. The metal in carbon nanostructure-metal composite nanoporous film melts at a low temperature since a size of a metal of the carbon nanostructure-metal composite is several nm to several-hundred nm.

2012-01-05

20120000846

POLYMER COATED HYDROLYZED MEMBRANE - A method of forming a polymer coated hydrolyzed membrane includes forming a membrane from a first hydrophilic polymer by immersion precipitation, coating the membrane with a thin layer of a second hydrophilic polymer more pH tolerant than the first hydrophilic polymer to form a dense rejection layer, and exposing the coated membrane to a high pH solution thereby forming a hydrolyzed ultrafiltration membrane. A polymer coated hydrolyzed membrane includes a porous membrane formed from a first hydrophilic polymer by immersion precipitation and from hydrolysis, and a dense rejection layer applied to the membrane and formed from a second hydrophilic polymer more pH tolerant than the first hydrophilic polymer.

2012-01-05

20120000847

FILTER WITH HIGH FILTRATION CAPACITY - A filter with high filtration capacity, comprising a filtering element, whose particularity is that the filtering element is made of a plant fiber selected among hemp, kenaf, jute and agave.

2012-01-05

20120000848

Fluid-Permeable Body Having a Superhydrophobic Surface - Apparatus including a rigid fluid-permeable body, having a first non-planar fluid-permeable body surface, and having a second fluid-permeable body surface; a plurality of fluid-permeable cells in the fluid-permeable body; and a plurality of raised micro-scale features on the first fluid-permeable body surface. Apparatus including a fluid-permeable body having first and second fluid-permeable body surfaces; a plurality of fluid-permeable cells in the fluid-permeable body; a plurality of raised micro-scale features on the first fluid-permeable body surface; and a fluid containment body forming, together with the second fluid-permeable body surface, a second fluid containment structure. Methods, utilizing an apparatus, of treating a liquid with a fluid, and of maintaining a superhydrophobic surface.

2012-01-05

20120000849

Wastewater Treatment - A wastewater treatment system includes wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds, an anoxic zone having denitrifying bacteria, and an aerobic zone having nitrifying bacteria. The anoxic zone is coupled to the aerobic zone, and wastewater flows from the anoxic zone to the aerobic zone or vice versa. The wastewater treatment system is configured to accept heat from a heat engine to heat the wastewater. Treating wastewater can include flowing wastewater having nitrogen-containing compounds into a biological reactor having an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone, and heating the wastewater with heat from a heat engine to facilitate denitrification reactions in the anoxic zone and to facilitate nitrification reactions in the aerobic zone. In some cases, the wastewater is heated with a three phase fluidized bed heat exchanger having porous particulates in contact with heat exchange tubes, with bacteria coupled to an interior of the porous particulates.

WATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes. A pressure differential across the membranes can be periodically reduced or eliminated, for example by closing a permeate valve, while the feed water continues to circulate.

SUPERHYDROPHILIC AND OLEOPHOBIC POROUS MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING THE SAME - The present disclosure provides a porous material having a surface that is concurrently both superhydrophilic (having a first apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of less than or equal to about 5° for water) and oleophobic (having a second apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of greater than or equal to about 90°) or superoleophobic (a second apparent advancing dynamic contact angle of greater than or equal to about 150° for oil). Such materials can be used in a separator device to separate a liquid-liquid mixture of immiscible components (e.g., oil and water) or miscible components (e.g., alcohols). Separation apparatus incorporating such materials and methods of making and using these materials are also provided.

2012-01-05

20120000854

CONTINUOUS REMOVAL OF DISPERSE DYES FROM SOLUTION VIA CARBON-BASED FIBER MEDIA - The present invention is directed to a method of removing colorants from a material. The method includes providing colored material, providing an oxoacid or oxoacid ester of phosphorous acid solvent, combining the colored material and the solvent, and agitating under conditions effective to remove the colorant from the colored material. The decolorizing solvent system is continuously refreshed by passing the colored solvent through a carbon column for subsequent recycling.

2012-01-05

20120000855

PREPARATION OF A SOLID BASED ON ZINC OXIDE FOR USE IN PURIFYING A GAS OR A LIQUID - The invention concerns a process for preparing a solid comprising ZnO and a binder comprising the following steps: pre-mixing powders comprising at least one ZnO powder and at least one binder (step a), mixing the paste obtained (step b), extruding (step c) the paste obtained in step b), drying the extrudates, and calcining (step d) in a stream of gas comprising oxygen.

2012-01-05

20120000856

Method and Composition for Environmental Clean Up - A method and absorbent material for cleaning up contaminants, such as a petroleum-based product, with little to no water absorption. The absorbent material may include sheets, disks, or spheres of polymer-based plastic material of one to two inches thick that is manufactured and pre-conditioned to enhance absorption characteristics. The absorbent material may include smaller sieve sizes ranging from 16 to 100 that facilitate absorption and collection of a petroleum-based contaminant. Alternatively or additionally, the absorbent material may include larger sieve sizes ranging from 4 to 10 that facilitate transfer of the petroleum-based contaminant to the surface of the absorbent material. The absorbent material may be deployed at sea for a matter of minutes, and after absorbing a portion of the petroleum-based contaminant, then recovered by a recovery vessel, such as via netting, scooping, and/or vacuuming means. After which, the petroleum-based contaminant may be extracted from the absorbent material for re-use.

2012-01-05

20120000857

CU-MO SEPARATION - The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material, at least one second material and at least one third material, which comprises at least the following steps:

2012-01-05

20120000858

Filter Life Pulsating Indicator and Water Filter System and Method - A computer based method for generating a pulsating water flow through a faucet in response to a filter status, comprising the steps of: determining a water flow rate through a first filter; determining a duration of water flow at said water flow rate; determining the filtered volume of water filtered by said first filter based upon said water flow rate and duration of water flow; determining the filter status by comparing said filtered volume of water and an expected rated service life value of said first filter; and causing the faucet to expel pulsating water when the faucet is in the on state, when the filter status represents that remaining filter life is below a first threshold.

2012-01-05

20120000859

Wastewater Treatment System - The present invention is a system and method for treating a wastewater stream to produce an effluent having an acceptable level of turbidity. The invention comprises a controller operatively coupled to at least one turbidity meter for monitoring turbidity of the effluent stream. A plurality of chemical treatment additive pumps are provided for providing a plurality of additives to the wastewater stream. Furthermore, a method of sequentially testing the amount of each additive required to produce an effluent stream having an acceptable turbidity is disclosed.

2012-01-05

20120000860

DEVICE FOR PURIFYING FLUID - A device for purifying a fluid is disclosed. The aforesaid device comprises: (a) a passage adapted for conducting a flow of the fluid, said passage provided with input and output openings; (b) a plurality of elongate members coated with a titanium oxide disposed within the passage; (c) fastening means for mechanically fixating terminals of the elongate members within the passage; (d) at least one source of ultraviolet radiation adapted for illuminating the elongate members; (e) pumping means adapted for generating the fluid flow through the passage from the input opening to the output opening. The fastening means comprises at least two fasteners. Each fastener comprises two mutually orthogonal spaced apart pluralities of parallel rods. The rods are adapted for restricting lateral displacement of the elongate members.

2012-01-05

20120000861

BEVERAGE DISPENSER - This invention aims at providing a beverage dispenser with a simple configuration that prevents invasion of bacteria into a tank or a raw water container.

2012-01-05

20120000862

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISINFECTING WATER - An apparatus for on-site production of disinfectant/oxidizing products, arranged directly in the fluid to be processed, and a method for oxidation/disinfection of the affected water in order to avoid microbiological proliferation phenomena, which can cause hygienic and sanitary problems or problems of failed efficiency of systems. The apparatus for disinfecting water with on-site production of oxidizing/disinfecting products at the desired concentrations includes storage tanks for chemical reagents, pumps and pipes for connection, and a source of disinfectant and oxidizing products that is immersed in the water to be disinfected.

2012-01-05

20120000863

MANURE SEPARATION FOR DIGESTER METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method and apparatus for removing settleable solids and unsettleable solids from a partially closed flush system in a dairy milking operation whereby a first processing tank bottom removes settleable solids contained therein where the net current flow vertically in the process tank is less than the settling rate of the settleable solids contained therein. The process tank batch feeds a plurality of thickening tanks that are each allowed to settle for a period of time before transferring fluid is to a second separator. The method and apparatus uses the solids for feeding a digester.

2012-01-05

20120000864

CYCLONIC SEPARATOR - A fuel system comprising a liquid fuel tank, an engine, and a cyclonic separator having an inlet fluidically connected to the fuel tank, a first outlet fluidically connected to an engine fuel feed system, and a second outlet. The cyclonic separator is adapted to discharge relatively denser material from the first outlet and relatively less dense material from the second outlet. The fuel system may be used to remove water or ice from the fuel tank by separating the liquid fuel in the tank into water rich fuel and purified fuel using the cyclonic separator. The water rich fuel is discharged to the engine where the water is burnt off with the fuel. The cyclonic separator may be retrofit in an existing fuel system. The fuel system may be in an aircraft.

2012-01-05

20120000865

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT DEVICE FOR LAUNDRY - A frame supporting a number of parallel extending tubes is used to support clothes and other laundry for drying. The frame is supported by four cords connected to its corners which extend downwardly from the corners of a drive housing which may be attached to the ceiling or some other high horizontal support. The housing contains a pair of parallel extending spaced shafts rotatably supported in end bearings. One of the shafts may be rotated in reversible directions by a remotely controlled motor connected to an end of that shaft. The motor-driven shaft supports two pairs of pulleys, one on each end. One pulley at each end has the ends of two of the support cords secured to it so as the shaft is rotated by the motor the cords are wound and unwound from the pulleys. The other two pulleys have the other two cords wound about them which cords extend horizontally over a pair of pulleys on the opposite, unmotorized shaft. All four cords extend downwardly through holes in the bottom of the shaft box and are used to lower the grid of tubes for loading and unloading laundry or to raise the grid so that the laundry will hang downwardly from the tubes.

2012-01-05

20120000866

Glass Storage and Transport Rack with Pivoting Arms - The present invention is operable to store or transport one or more sheets of any material, including fragile materials. The present invention may be utilized to store or transport a wide variety of materials including, panes of glass, laminated glass, insulated glass, plastic sheets, or any other rigid panels of any material. The transport rack includes slots wherein one or more glass panes may be loaded and supported. One or more rotatable gripping arms may be utilized to support the one or more panes of glass positioned within the slots. Cushioning material may cover or coat the supporting members and/or gripping arm. One or more glass panes positioned in the transport rack may be protected from breakage during storage or transport.

2012-01-05

20120000867

Expandable Shelf Display - An extendable shelf comprises a first shelf extension and a second shelf extension slidingly engaged to permit extension to a variety of widths. Stops mounted at predetermined locations to provide specific widths of the assembled shelf. An indicia sheet is carried by the first shelf extension. The indicia sheet is marked with a plurality of indicia to indicate the different potential widths of the assembled shelf. A cover sheet is carried by the second shelf extension. Lateral adjustment of the shelf extensions to different relative positions causes the cover sheet to exposes appropriate indicia to identify the current shelf width and covers the alternative indicia of widths.

2012-01-05

20120000868

RING SUPPORTING DEVICE - A ring supporting device is provided with six support shafts capable of approaching and separating from the inner walls of metal rings. Each of the support shafts has an exposed side wall having formed thereon annular ridges and grooves. The side walls of the support shafts each have cushioning materials having a height substantially corresponding to the height of each of the grooves. The cushioning materials deform when the inner walls of the metallic rings make contact with the cushioning materials, and this relaxes a force which tries to expand the metallic rings from the inner wall side to the outer wall side.

2012-01-05

20120000869

PRODUCT SECUREMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A merchandising system that improves the merchandising of product by limiting the number and the frequency with which product can be removed from, for example, a merchandising shelf. The merchandising system may include a base configured to support product and a housing configured to engage the base. The housing may comprise a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a front retaining wall. The system may further include a spring-urged pusher movably mounted on the base, a locking assembly, and an electronic control unit the triggers the locking assembly, locking the door from opening and stopping the pusher from moving product forward to the door.

2012-01-05

20120000870

CLOTHING DISPLAY FIXTURE - A clothing display fixture includes a sleeve having an inner surface, an outer surface, a pair of opposing edges defining a top and a bottom, a joint, a first cross member and a second cross member. The first and second cross members have first lengthwise edges and opposing second lengthwise edges and first widthwise edges and opposing second widthwise edges. The first and second opposing widthwise edges are located adjacent to the inner surface of the sleeve such that the first widthwise edges span across the joint and wherein the first and second support members extend through a center of the sleeve.

2012-01-05

20120000871

PORTION OF SHELF AND SUPPORT FOR SHELVING UNIT - A shelving unit includes formed front and rear beams providing shelf supporting and lower flanges, respectively. A C-shaped tie bar extends centrally between respective front and rear beams and is captured between the beam flanges with tie bar ends engaging the beams providing loaded shelf support and resisting loaded beam twisting.

2012-01-05

20120000872

CONVERTIBLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL SHELVING - A convertible, multiple function shelf unit includes shelves which can be supported horizontally or on an incline and having opposed edge members extending from the shelf. When horizontal, these members define a trough-like configuration with apexes extending outwardly from shelf edges. When the shelf is inverted, these apexes fit over opposed and vertically spaced braces to support the shelf in an inclined position. The distance between the apexes is greater than the distance between the shelf edge inboard of the extended members to accommodate the greater distance between opposed support braces when respectively vertically spaced, as opposed to residing in the same horizontal plane to support a shelf in a horizontal position. A shelf comprises one shelf member or, alternatively, a plurality of independent shelf members. Accessory bins and screens are provided.

2012-01-05

20120000873

VARIABLE CONFIGURATION SHELVING APPARATUS AND METHODS - A variable configuration shelving apparatus including shelf-supporting reversible beams. In one position, beam top edges are flush with a shelf thereon. In another position, the beams form upstanding lips about a shelf. Beam structure is included.

2012-01-05

20120000874

Modular truss system with six-way connector boxes - A modular truss system includes six-way box connectors to which truss beams can be bolted and pinned together in a wide variety of configurations and to any or all of the six identical faces. Each box connector face and each truss beam endplate is fitted with matching center holes for bolts and spring pin arrangements on the peripheral corners. These make aligning and attaching the truss beams and box connectors to one another a quick and simple job that does not require any tools. The truss beam endplates have one or more spring pins and a center hole that matches the ones in each of the six faces of the box connectors.

2012-01-05

20120000875

GRIPPER DEVICE FOR TRANSPORT VEHICLE, TRANSPORT VEHICLE AND OVERHEAD HOIST TRANSPORT VEHICLE - A gripper device for a transport vehicle includes a base plate, a guide rail provided on an upper surface of the base plate, a pair of guide blocks arranged to be movable in a substantially horizontal direction toward and away from each other along the guide rail, and a pair of gripping parts. Each of the gripping parts includes a horizontal portion fixed to an upper surface of one of the guide blocks and arranged to extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base plate, a vertical portion arranged to extend downward from the horizontal portion to a position lower than that of the base plate, and a claw section provided on a lower end of the vertical portion and arranged to grip an object.

2012-01-05

20120000876

LIFT SYSTEMS WITH CONTINUOUS IN-RAIL CHARGING - Rail-mounted lift systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, the lift system includes a rail having at least one conductor positioned on an upper interior surface of the rail. A carriage may be slidably disposed in the rail for relative movement to the rail. The carriage generally includes a carriage body, at least one pair of support wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage body and slidably engaged with the rail, and a conductor truck comprising at least one conductive roller rotatably attached to the conductor truck. The conductor truck may be mounted to the carriage body with a biasing member upwardly biasing the conductive roller into rolling engagement with the at least one conductor. A lift unit may be coupled to the carriage body and includes a motor paying out and taking up a lifting strap. The lift unit is electrically coupled to the at least one conductive roller.

2012-01-05

20120000877

Knuckle Formed Through The Use Of Improved External and Internal Sand Cores and Method of Manufacture - A method for manufacturing a railcar coupler knuckle, said method includes providing a cope mold portion and a drag mold portion. The cope and drag mold portions have internal walls that define at least in part perimeter boundaries of a coupler knuckle mold cavity. At least one chill core is positioned within one of the cope mold portion and the drag mold portion. The cope and drag mold portions are closed, with the at least one core therebetween, and the closed cope and drag mold portions and the chill core define a parting line. The mold cavity is filled with a molten metal, which solidifies after filling to form a casting. The casting includes a pulling face portion defined by the chill core, and a central section of the pulling face portion does not contain the parting line and requires no finish grinding upon its formation.

2012-01-05

20120000878

Oval-Neck Bottle - A bottle of one-piece construction includes a body having a shoulder, a neck finish and a neck extending from the shoulder to the neck finish. The shoulder and neck finish each have circular cross sections around respective axes, which preferably are coincident with a central axis of the bottle. A major portion of the neck has an oval cross section around a third axis, which preferably is coincident with the central axis, smoothly blending into the circular cross sections of the shoulder and neck finish. The oval cross section preferably is generally elliptical, having outwardly convex end portions and outwardly convex side portions extending between the end portions. The neck preferably has a substantially uniform wall thickness.

2012-01-05

20120000879

FINISH HORIZONTAL REINFORCING RIB-RING FORCE - A container comprising a finish, a sidewall portion extending from the finish having a thread portion and an opening formed therein, a base portion extending from the sidewall portion and enclosing the sidewall portion to form a volume therein for retaining a commodity, and an inwardly directed rib member. The inwardly directed rib member is circumferentially disposed about the finish. In some embodiments, the inwardly directed rib member is positioned between the opening of the finish and the start of the thread portion.

2012-01-05

20120000880

CONTAINER CAP - The present invention relates to a container cap comprising an inner cap and an outer cap. The inner cap has a second cylindrical portion and a joint portion. The second cylindrical portion has an open top, and a lower side end which is to be inserted into a neck, and which has a plurality of outlet ports for discharging additives. The joint portion protrudes from the outer circumference of the top of the second cylindrical portion and is detachably joined to a stopper protrusion of the neck. The outer cap has a first cylindrical portion and a threaded portion. The first cylindrical portion is slidably coupled to the inner surface of the second cylindrical portion from the inner surface of an upper plate in a surface-contacting manner, and the lower end thereof extends axially to close the plurality of outlet ports. The threaded portion extends axially from the outer surface of the upper plate to be fastened to the outer surface of the neck. When the outer cap is partially opened, said outlet ports are opened to introduce the additives from a receiving space into the main body of a container. When the outer cap is fully opened, the inner cap is separated from the main body of the container together with the outer cap.

Bottles with Top Loading Resistance - This disclosure is generally directed toward bottles with improved top loading resistance and does so by, among other things, utilizing walls, shoulder, and/or other structural features of a particular size, taper, angle, and/or material. The bottle includes a mouth, a barrel connected to a base, and a shoulder extending between the mouth and barrel. The shoulder may include upper, intermediate, and lower sections, in which the intermediate section may be relatively thicker than the upper section. The barrel may also include upper, intermediate, and lower sections, in which the intermediate section may be relatively thicker than the lower section.

2012-01-05

20120000883

CONTAINER WITH INTERNAL LIFT - A container having an internal lift has a base at its lower end and an open top at its upper end. A continuous wall extends upward from the base. A retainer is disposed on the inner surface of the container. A lift inserted in the container has a tray at its lower end and an elongated member extends upward from the tray. A plurality of spaced apart retainer contacting segments are disposed along the length of the elongated member. Each retainer contacting segment is capable of cooperating with the retainer in order to suspend the tray above the base of the container at a number of different pre-set vertical positions. Each vertical position corresponds to the location of a different retainer contacting segment.

2012-01-05

20120000884

Container With Adjustable Lift - A container having an internal lift has a base at its lower end and an open top at its upper end. A continuous wall extends upward from the base. A retainer is disposed on the inner surface of the container. A lift inserted in the container has a tray at its lower end and an elongated member extends upward from the tray. A plurality of spaced apart retainer contacting segments are disposed along the length of the elongated member. Each retainer contacting segment is capable of cooperating with the retainer in order to suspend the tray above the base of the container at a number of different pre-set vertical positions. Each vertical position corresponds to the location of a different retainer contacting segment. Alternatively, the elongated member can be flexible to enable it to be bent over a top of the container or around the retainer and rigid enough to maintain the position when it is bent or straightened.

SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND SUBSTRATE PROCESSING METHOD - The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber which accommodates a wafer and performs a plasma etching process on the wafer, an exhaust chamber which communicates with the process chamber, an exhaust plate which divides the process chamber from the exhaust chamber and prevents plasma inside the process chamber from leaking into the exhaust chamber, and an upper electrode plate arranged inside the exhaust chamber, wherein the exhaust plate includes a plurality of through holes, and the upper electrode plate includes a plurality of through holes, is capable of contacting the exhaust plate in parallel, and is capable of being spaced apart from the exhaust plate.

2012-01-05

20120000887

PLASMA TREATMENT APPARATUS AND PLASMA TREATMENT METHOD - According to one embodiment, there is provided a plasma treatment apparatus including an electrode, a first power supply circuit, a plasma generating unit, a second power supply circuit, a sensing unit, and a control unit. The electrode is arranged inside a treatment chamber. On the electrode, a substrate to be treated is placed. The first power supply circuit supplies power to the electrode. The plasma generating unit generates plasma in a space separated from the electrode inside the treatment chamber. The second power supply circuit supplies power to the plasma generating unit. The sensing unit senses a parameter output from the first power supply circuit. The control unit controls power supplied from the second power supply circuit so that the parameter sensed by the sensing unit becomes close to or substantially equal to a target value.

2012-01-05

20120000888

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) PLASMA PROCESSING - Methods and apparatus for minimizing reflected radio frequency (RF) energy are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a first RF energy source having frequency tuning to provide a first RF energy, a first matching network coupled to the first RF energy source, one or more sensors to provide first data corresponding to a first magnitude and a first phase of a first impedance of the first RF energy, wherein the first magnitude is equal a first resistance defined as a first voltage divided by a first current and the first phase is equal to a first phase difference between the first voltage and the first current, and a controller adapted to control a first value of a first variable element of the first matching network based upon the first magnitude and to control a first frequency provided by the first RF energy source based upon the first phase.

2012-01-05

20120000889

ELECTRODE WIRE FOR WIRE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING USING THE SAME - A wire material having a copper-zinc alloy layer, which is formed by action of thermal diffusion, and a zinc layer on its circumference surface is subjected to processes, including from a step of drawing the wire material to a step of reducing the diameter of the product, to reliably crash the copper-zinc alloy layer into particles. The particles are embedded in the circumference surface of a core to integrate the diffusion alloy layer and zinc layer with the core and prevent the diffusion alloy layer and zinc layer from falling off from the core. In addition, in order to cover cracks formed in the copper-zinc alloy layer during wire drawing with a zinc thin film, wire drawing is performed at temperatures appropriate for maintaining good malleability and ductility of zinc.

ROBOT SYSTEM - For teaching a welding-point position for a robot, processing of a robot system includes first processing for moving a spot welding gun to a position at which movable and fixed electrodes pinch the welding point; second processing for extending the movable electrode toward a member to be welded by driving of a motor, detecting contact between the movable electrode and the member based on a torque command to the motor, and stopping the movable electrode after the contact is detected; and third processing for operating the robot toward the movable electrode to move the fixed electrode toward the member while maintaining the contact between the movable electrode and the member by the driving of the motor, detecting contact between the fixed electrode and the member based on a disturbance torque acting on a joint of the robot, and stopping the operation of the robot after the contact is detected.

2012-01-05

20120000892

HYBRID LASER ARC WELDING PROCESS AND APPARATUS - A welding method and apparatus for welding workpieces together by conducting a laser beam welding process on a joint region that includes a weld seam defined by and between faying surfaces of the workpieces, and then conducting a hybrid laser arc welding process on the joint region. The laser beam welding process entails causing a first laser beam to travel along the joint region, penetrate the weld seam and form a weldment. The hybrid laser arc welding process remelts the weldment by simultaneously causing an electric arc and a second laser beam to overlap and travel along the joint region and form a weld pool in the weldment. On cooling, a weld joint is formed within the joint region and its weld seam.

2012-01-05

20120000893

Precision Laser Ablation - Methods and systems for precisely removing selected layers of materials from a multi-layer work piece using laser ablation are disclosed. Precise removal of one or more selected layers of materials of a work piece may be performed by irradiating at least one location on a multi-layer work piece with a laser beam, ablating material at the at least one location, detecting one or more characteristics of the material ablated at the at least one location and analyzing the one or more characteristics to identify a change in at least one of the one or more characteristics that indicates a change in the type of material being ablated. Related systems are also described.

2012-01-05

20120000894

PRECISION LASER SCORING - Method and apparatus for laser scoring a sheet material. An elongated laser beam having S-mode intensity profile in the width direction and a flat-top-mode profile in the length direction is used to achieve high precision scoring. The invention can be used for scoring large-size glass substrates for LCD displays.

2012-01-05

20120000895

METHOD OF CONTROLLING WELDING - A welding control method for a welding device having an output characteristic with a predetermined gradient showing a relation between a welding output voltage and a welding output current. By setting a set target welding voltage that is higher than the set initial welding voltage according to a difference between the set initial welding voltage and the welding output voltage, the welding output voltage is controlled to be the set target welding voltage. Thus, a proper arc length can be achieved early by correcting the change of the arc length due to, for example, motion of the hands of a welding operator.

IMAGE HEATING APPARATUS - The image heating apparatus includes first and heat generation member, a connection state switching section switching the first and second heat generation members between a serial connection state and a parallel connection state, the connection state switching section C having a first relay having a make contact or a break contact and a second relay having a transfer contact, a drive element provided used for controlling power supplied to the first and second heat generation members, and a capacitor between a power supply path closer to the side of the first and second heat generation members rather than the first relay and a power supply path closer to the commercial power supply side rather than the drive element. The image heating apparatus can suppress an increase in noise level of a noise terminal voltage by performing power control on the heater.

2012-01-05

20120000898

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED DISPLAYS - A heated counter for service of hot food has one or more hotplates, a light source illuminating each hotplate and a number of light sensors below each hotplate. When a sensor is obscured by a dish of food, power is supplied to that hotplate, and when no sensor is obscured, that hotplate is kept in stand-by mode.

2012-01-05

20120000899

HEATER FOR REFRIGERATOR AND REFRIGERATOR INCLUDING THE SAME - Provided is a refrigerator in which a heating member is used to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator. According to the refrigerator, a carbon nanotube (CNT) heater is used as the heating member of the refrigerator. Since it can be possible to quickly heat a heating object due to sheet resistance properties of the CNT material, necessary power consumption can be prevented to improve the power consumption.